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The video arrived on Saturday, October 1. I was able to watch it today…of course, it was wonderful.

Of all the birth videos I have seen, this is the first that has not shown one stitch of medical equipment. When I think with the mind of the skeptical pregnant mother, I look back at the births documented and never once wonder or worried if there were any tools to “save” anyone during this process. The births are clearly not in need of any interference. Birth is not in need of interference. Usually, those documenting find it important to show some sort of equipment at the ready for the “in case” situation. I’ve heard from a doula that she and a midwife arrived to a home in the same moment and the doula was employed in that moment to carry in an oxygen tank before letting the mother know she had arrived, and before ever knowing if there was need. While there may have been pieces of medical equipment in none or all of the homes you worked in, they were not part of how these births progressed. How refreshing!

I also took note that you, the attendant, were not a big part of how these births progressed. I much admire, and perhaps aspire, to hold that birth space for a laboring woman. Watching your approach will be a fantastic teaching tool for those who believe there must be a professional who participates and/or directs how birth unfolds. In your voice-over you note one mother saying “I did it!” and you follow up saying that indeed, she had. You were there. In many cases, that is all any laboring woman (or her partner) ever needs. . . to have someone there to witness and support a perfect process.

It was lovely, also, that the mother chose who was with her and even who would deliver the baby. I was struck with happiness when you coached the sister of one birthing woman in “catching” the newborn. Not all midwives are eager to teach and let others participate, but prefer to be the one who “does” that piece of birth work. Only with midwives like you can women experience birth in a normal way that solidifies that all women know this work and that it is not a matter of medical education, but a matter of experience, intuition and the passing on of knowledge.

As you well know, most women and girls know nothing of birth outside of the medical model. Your video is a great vision of the true nature of birth. Mother centered birth once was the norm and with your help, it can return to such an event where a woman gains fulfillment and strength in her mind, and in the minds of those in her life.

Thank you for being who you are and helping others see the truth in birth.

I’m very excited to announce that my dvd has been completed and is all ready to mail out. 9 lovely home births. Features include:

1. 9 Home births without narration
2. 9 Home births (the same footage) but with commentary by Gloria Lemay
3. 30 min PSA by Nocirc.org featuring Dr. Dean Edell
4. 25 min “The Prepuce” by Doctors Opposing Circumcision. A film for medical students on the importance and function of the male foreskin.

REVIEW OF THE DVD
“About four years ago I got fed up with all these home birth videos on the net that had very emotional music and voice overs with text popping up on the screen telling the viewer about what was going on. It truly made me mad that I could not show my clients a real birth. Then I trained as Birth Works childbirth educator and in our class we listen to real birth sounds to guesstimate where the birthing mother was in her process (audio only). A year after my second child was born I posted my RAW birth video as a teaching tool on the internet for the women in my class – no music to tug on your heart, no text manipulating your thinking or your experience. The video was so well received for its honesty that I have never taken it down and only wished there were many more around to truly educate women about birth (www.gentlebeginnings.ca). When I watched Gloria Lemay’s new birth video I was so relieved that the births featured were not doctored (pun intended) and instead presented the raw experiences in the moments, the sounds, the lights, the real happenings, warts and all. I have thought for a long time that prettying up a birth video sets women up with unrealistic expectations, and can actually harm them. Gloria’s video is beautifully real, amazingly wonderful, educationally priceless, and … honest. I loved every minute of it. I was very excited about the option with a voice over giving background info, and of course the two NO-CIRC features are a must see for every person in the world. Thank you Glo.”Veronika Polanska, Childbirth Educator, Vancouver, BC Canada

For more information and reviews, see the Facebook page “Birth with Gloria Lemay” and be sure to like it